Ford Halts Mustang Shelby GT350 / GT350R Sales For Oil Cooler Defect

Had your eye on a new Mustang Shelby GT350 or GT350R? Apparently, your horses have been held: Ford has issued a recall and stop-sale on the hot Mustangs, after discovering a faulty engine oil cooler line that can spring a leak and starve the engine of oil.

Ford says that roughly 8000 Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R models are affected by the recall, which applies to vehicles built between February 24, 2015 and August 30, 2016. The automaker says improperly crimped engine oil cooler tube assemblies can separate, causing massive oil loss and a potential fire hazard. No fires, accidents or injuries related to the defect have been reported to Ford.

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In addition to the recall on already-sold Shelbys, Ford is issuing a stop-sale on GT350 and GT350R models that are still on dealership floors until they are repaired. In addition, Ford has instructed dealerships to immediately halt any test drives, demonstrations, or deliveries of GT350 or GT350R models until they've undergone recall repairs, as is required by federal law when a car is under recall.

Enthusiasts at the forum Mustang6G have examined the VINs and date range affected by the recall and found that a vast majority of cars built during the timeframe are affected by the recall, though some examples are not. The recall affects all GT350 and GT350R models, regardless of trim package, as all models come stock with an oil cooler.

A dealer bulletin instructing service departments on repair procedures is not expected until January 2017, with repairs possibly extending into March.